Method of Using Modular Pizza Box

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method of using a disposable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In a preferable embodiment, the original box is first divided into two portions. The resulting open end of one or both portions may then be readily folded shut, thereby forming reduced-sized, additional closed box structures. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the divided box is sized so that when the open end is folded shut, the reduced-sized box is essentially half the volume of the original box.

CONTINUATION PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 12/070,591

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from application Ser. No. 12/070,591filed Feb. 20, 2008 and 60/902,486 filed on Feb. 20, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pizza delivery is a multi-billion dollar industry. The growth of thebusiness has kept pace with the development of suitable containers forcarrying the pizza. The modern pizza delivery box such as that used bythe large retail chain stores is, in many ways, the ideal deliverysystem. In order to be an ideal delivery system, the boxes must possessa combination of traits. The boxes must keep the pizza warm, be sturdyenough to withstand the delivery process, and be inexpensive tomanufacture. Boxes known in the art achieve each of thesecharacteristics. One example is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,702,054.

Although boxes found in the art are nearly ideal delivery vehicles forgetting the product to the customer, none successfully addresspost-delivery customer needs. More specifically, most boxes found in artpresent a disposal problem. Pizza boxes are typically larger than indoorhousehold trash receptacles. In order to dispose of the box, customersmust crush or tear the box in order to reduce its size so that it mayeasily fit into a household trash receptacle. Additionally, the box istypically too large to easily fit into the household refrigerator forstoring leftover pizza.

The subject of several patents is the improvement of the typical pizzabox to help alleviate these shortcomings. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,273,206 and 5,197,659 disclose pizza box designs incorporatingscore-lines designed to facilitate rolling the pizza box into acylindrical shape when empty for ease of disposal. U.S. Pat. No.5,305,949 discloses a pizza box incorporating removable punch-outsections and weakening lines, which facilitate folding the box in halffor ease of disposal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,392 discloses a boxincorporating a transverse perforation, which facilitates breaking thebox in two for ease of disposal. Each of the foregoing patents addressthe need for making the box more easily disposable but do not addressleftover storage needs. In addition, each of these designs incorporateextensive score-lines or perforations that are needed to make the boxmore easily disposable but also significantly weaken the structuralintegrity of the box during the delivery process. None of these designsincorporate means for selectively weakening the structural integrity ofthe box by the consumer post-delivery. Additionally, these designs arecomplex, and may prove difficult to use by many consumers.

Other patents address both ease of disposal and the need to have a boxthat can accommodate multiple volumes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,062 disclosesa box incorporating perforated score lines so that the top portion maybe ripped off while the bottom portion of the box is retained and foldedinto a second enclosed box structure for the storage of left over pizza.U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,066 discloses a box design incorporating transverseperforation lines through the lid and bottom portions of the box and anadditional fold line which together facilitate breaking the box in twoand folding the open end shut for use as a secondary storage container.U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,919 discloses a box incorporating perforations andscore lines, which facilitate the removal of multiple pieces of theoriginal box and the folding of the remainder of the box into a taperedbox structure for the storage of leftover pizza. However, each of thesedesigns utilize extensive perforations and score lines thatsignificantly weaken the box structure while none incorporate means forselectively weakening the structural integrity of the box by theconsumer post-delivery. Further, these designs are also complex, and mayprove difficult to use by many consumers. Additionally, none disclosemeans for easily storing an entire half pizza as leftovers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art andprovides an easily disposable pizza box that may also be used as astorage container for holding leftover pizza. The present inventionincorporates means for reducing the size of the box structure by firstsplitting the box into two overall pieces (the splitting means). Thisfacilitates disposal of the box in household trash receptacles.Optionally, a portion of the split box may be folded shut generating asecond closed box structure that may be used to store leftovers. Thepresent invention most preferably utilizes a pull-tab cord design as theprimary means of weakening the box structure to facilitate separatingthe overall box into two portions. However, perforations may be used asa substitute for the pull-tab cord. Further, perforations may be used inaddition and in conjunction with the pull-tab cord in order tofacilitate cleaner edges when the box is torn apart and or to reduce theeffort required to tear the box in two. Depending upon the exactplacement of the splitting means, the halves may or may not be equal insize. Further, the resulting open ends of one or both of the resultinghalves may incorporate preformed score lines and or perforations thatfacilitate folding the open end shut, thereby forming a second closedbox structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, oneportion of the split box is sized so that when the open end is foldedshut, the second closed box is essentially half the volume of the firstoriginal box. By most preferably incorporating a destructive pull-tabcord design instead of extensive preformed perforations as the primarymeans of weakening the box structure, the structural integrity of thebox is not significantly weakened as compared to the typical pizza boxuntil the customer chooses to pull the tab in order to split the firstbox for disposal or store leftover pizza by folding one of the splitportions of the first box closed generating a second box. Further, thepresent invention incorporates a simplified design that is easy for aconsumer to use. The present invention incorporates means whereby theconsumer, after splitting the first box, may optionally generate thesecond closed box without first opening the lid.

In summary, the present invention provides for a sturdy delivery vehiclethat incorporates means for splitting the first box into two portions tofacilitate disposal and or storage of leftovers. Further, in apreferable embodiment, the split box is designed so the opened end ofone portion may be folded dosed, generating a sturdy storage containerthat may be used to store leftovers. Further, in the most preferableembodiment, the split box is designed so the end of the larger portionmay be folded closed, generating a sturdy storage container that may beused to store a full half pizza of leftovers. Food containersincorporating the present invention are easy to use and economical tomanufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed. Further,this particular embodiment of the present invention incorporatesadditional perforations that facilitate folding of the Back Closing Tab,58, and the Front Closing Tab, 46.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed. Further,this particular embodiment of the present invention incorporates fewerperforations, which provide for a stronger overall first box structure.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed. Further,this particular embodiment of the present invention does not utilize aLine of Perforation, 26, along the Cord, 50.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed. Further,this particular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a Line ofPerforation, 26, without a Cord, 50, to facilitate splitting the firstbox.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom. 22, of the box when the box is closed. In thisparticular embodiment of the present invention, a Line of Perforation,26, is used along only one side of the Cord, 50.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top, 16, of the box fold inside of the sidesdefining the Bottom, 22, of the box when the box is closed. In thisparticular embodiment, Removable Section [B]D is reduced in size.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present inventionillustrating how a sheet of material such as cardboard may be cut andfolded into a container according to the present invention. Thisparticular embodiment of the present invention utilizes a design wherebythe sides defining the Top B, 70, of the box fold outside of the sidesdefining the Bottom B, 82, of the box when the box is closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The most preferable embodiment of the present invention utilizes aPull-Tab, 40, 94, connected to a Cord, 50, running against or within thebox so that when the consumer pulls it, the Cord, 50, cuts or tears thebox material similar to that found in the art and used to open somemailing containers. This weakens the structure of the box so that thebox may easily be separated into two pieces. The Pull-Tab, 40, 94,allows the consumer to get a secure grip on the cord Cord, 50, in orderto pull it. In the preferred embodiment, the Pull-Tab, 40. 94, isdefined by perforations of the box adjacent to the sides of the Cord,50, and or at one end of the Cord, 50, but in other embodiments mayinclude an additional piece of material attached to the Cord, 50, forthe consumer to grip. The Cord, 50, may be made using any material ofsufficient strength to tear the box material when pulled. Typically, theCord, 50, is made of a plastic polymer material. In one preferredembodiment of the present invention, the Cord, 50, is made ofpolyethylene. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,the Cord, 50, is made of a woven fibrous material. Several tear tapeproducts are available on the market and some of these are suitable foruse in this box structure. The box may be constructed of any material ofsufficient strength for use as a pizza delivery container that may becut or torn by the Cord, 50, material. In the preferred embodiment, thebox is made of a corrugated paper cardboard material. In yet anotherembodiment, the corrugated paper material is coated with a waterrepellant substance such as a wax or a plastic coating found in the artin order to maintain the freshness of the pizza leftovers. Further, inyet another embodiment, a microwave heating surface as found in the artmay be attached to or built into the box material.

In order to function property, the Cord, 50, must be securely attachedto the box material. In one embodiment, polymer glue is used to attachthe Cord, 50, to the box, but any means of sufficient strength known inthe art may be used to attach the cord to the box, for example, pressuresensitive adhesive. In one particular embodiment, the Cord. 50, isattached to the inner surface of the box. In another particularembodiment, the Cord, 50, is attached to the outside surface of the box.In another particular embodiment, the Cord, 50, is inserted within thebox material. In embodiments wherein the box is constructed ofcorrugated material, the Cord, 50, may run either parallel orperpendicular to the direction of corrugations. However, in the mostpreferable embodiment, the Cord, 50, runs perpendicular to the directionof the corrugations. In yet another embodiment, the Cord, 50, maycomprise multiple layers, and be attached to both the inner and outersurface of the box. In yet another embodiment, the Cord, 50, maycomprise multiple layers, and be attached to both the inner surface ofthe box and be inserted within the box material. In yet anotherembodiment, the Cord, 50, may comprise multiple layers, and be attachedto both the outer surface of the box and be inserted within the boxmaterial.

Further, perforations may be added along either or both sides of theCord, 50, in order to reduce the effort required to rip the box or tohelp generate smoother edges along the rip. These are illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 and 6-8 as Lines of Perforation.

The present invention may best be described by example. Eight preferredembodiments of the present invention are illustrated. In allillustrations, a solid line represents a cut. A line with large dashesrepresents folds in the box structure that are most preferably but notnecessarily scored using perforations or cuts. Lines denoted by smalldashes represent lines that are perforated or otherwise weakened so thatthe consumer may tear the box material along the line. Lines denoted bysmall dots represent latent fold lines along which the box is folded toclose the open end of the split box. These lines may be denoted byperforations, indentations, or nothing, but perforations may not benecessary, particularly if the fold is parallel to the grain of thecardboard. Lines denoted by dashes perpendicular to the length of thebox represent the location of the Cord, 50.

Example 1

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. Lower Side Wall A, 24, along withFront Bottom Tab A, 30, and Back Bottom Tab A, 18, are together foldedup towards the Bottom, 22. Front Bottom Tab A, 30, and Back Bottom TabA, 18, are further folded towards the Bottom, 22, at an angle ofsubstantially ninety degrees to Lower Side Wall A, 24. Lower Side WallB, 48, along with Front Bottom Tab B, 42, and Back Bottom Tab B, 56, aretogether folded up towards the Bottom, 22. Front Bottom Tab B, 42, andBack Bottom Tab B, 56, are further folded towards the Bottom, 22, at anangle of substantially ninety degrees to Lower Side Wall B, 48. TheLower Front Wall, 34, is folded up towards the Bottom, 22, and is foldedover Front Bottom Tab A, 30, and Front Bottom Tab B, 42. Upper Side WallA, 14, Upper Front Wall, 12, and Upper Side Wall B, 62, are folded uptowards the Top, 16, at essentially a ninety-degree angle. To completethe assembly of the first box, the Top, 16, is folded towards theBottom, 22, using the Back Wall, 20, as a hinge. In this particularembodiment of the present invention, Upper Side Wall A, 14, Upper SideWall B, 62, and the Upper Front Wall, 12, fold inside of Lower Side WallA, 24, Lower Side Wall B, 48, and the Lower Front Wall, 34, as the boxis closed. After assembly, and in order to easily dispose of the box orprepare the box for storing leftovers, the consumer grasps the Pull-Tab,40, and pulls the Cord, 50, following the Cord. 50, around the box as itis torn through, thereby ripping or cutting the box along the Cord, 50,line. The first box may then be separated into two portions. Thisparticular embodiment includes Lines of Perforation, 26, along bothsides of the Cord, 50. In the most preferable embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the Lines of Perforation include a section that can be moreeasily torn by the consumer along the Lower Front Wall, 34. In this mostpreferable embodiment, the perforations used in the section of the Linesof Perforation across the Lower Front Wall, 34, are similar to thoseused in other portions of the design such as around Removable Section B,66. This facilitates reducing the effort required to pull the Cord, 50,through the box material in this area where the structure is doubled.Once the box is separated into two pieces, both pieces may be disposedof directly, or alternatively, the open end of the large piece may befolded dosed, forming a second sturdy container structure (a secondbox). The open end is folded shut as follows. Removable Section A, 36,Removable Section 8, 66, and Removable Section C, 60, are torn out ofthe box along the perforations. The open edge of the Top, 16, is foldedin towards the Bottom, 22, of the box along Latent Fold Line B, 64. TheFront Closing Tab, 46, and the Rear Closing Tab, 58, are folded inwardstowards the Bottom, 22, after separating them from the Lower Front Wall,34, and Back Wall, 20, along the perforations.

From this point there are a few distinct ways of completing the dosedbox structure according to the preferences of the consumer. As oneoption the open edge of the Bottom, 22, together with the Front ClosingTab, 46, and the Rear Closing Tab, 58, are folded in along Latent FoldLine A, 54. After folding them up to an angle of approximately ninetydegrees relative to the Bottom, 22, the Front Closing Tab, 46, and RearClosing Tab, 58, are released and allowed to pass through the openingsin the folded edge of the Top, 16, created by Removable Section B. 66,and Removable Section C, 60. Once released and opened up into the insideof the second box structure, Closing Tab A and Closing Tab B securelylock the second box closed by preventing the folded open edge of theBottom, 22, from unfolding. This optional folding method may beperformed without the necessity of first opening the second box.

As a second option, the Front Closing Tab, 46, is inserted between thefolded leaves of the Lower Front Wall, 34, as the open edge of theBottom, 22, is folded up towards the Top, 16. The Back Closing Tab, 58,may then be opened into the second box as in the first option tocomplete the dosing operation. In this example of a preferred embodimentof the present invention, one edge of the Front Closing Tab, 46, isangled by its proximity to the Pull-Tab, 40, which facilitates insertionbetween the leaves of the Lower Front Wall, 34. Other embodiments of thepresent invention may feature a Front Closing Tab, 46, without such anangle. This optional folding method may also be performed without thenecessity of first opening the second box.

As a third option, the second box is first opened, then the open edge ofthe Bottom, 22, is folded up towards the Top, 16, and the Front ClosingTab, 46, and Rear Closing Tab, 58, are placed against the Front Wall andRear Wall respectively. Folding the lid shut as in the completion of thefirst box finishes the closing operation. The consumer may devise othervariations in the folding operation.

The reduced size container may now be opened and closed as needed in amanner similar to the original full size container. When closed, thereduced size container is very sturdy and can be used to store leftoversconveniently.

Example 2

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment is verysimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. In addition, this particular embodimentmay be split into two pieces and the open end of the large piece may befolded into a sturdy closed secondary container in a manner similar tothat described in Example 1.

In addition to the features described in Example 1, this particularembodiment includes additional foldable perforation means along theFront Closing Tab, 46, and Rear Closing Tab, 58. This furtherfacilitates folding of the Front Closing Tab, 46, and Rear Closing Tab.58, inwards toward the open edge of the Bottom, 22, while closing thesecond box.

Example 3

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment is verysimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. In addition, this particular embodimentmay be split into two pieces and the open end of the large piece may befolded into a sturdy closed secondary container in a manner similar tothat described in Example 1.

In addition to the features described in Example 1, this particularembodiment eliminates perforation means along one edge of the FrontClosing Tab, 46, and Rear Closing Tab, 58, within Removable Section B,66, and the perforation means along Latent Fold Line A, 54, and LatentFold Line B, 64. This further facilitates a stronger first boxstructure.

Example 4

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment is verysimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. In addition, this particular embodimentmay be split into two pieces and the open end of the large piece may befolded into a sturdy dosed secondary container in a manner similar tothat described in Example 1.

However, in this particular embodiment, Lines of Perforation are notused along the sides of the Cord, 50.

Example 5

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment issimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. However, this particular embodimentutilizes a Line of Perforation, 26, instead of a Pull-Tab, 40, Cord, 50,design in order to facilitate splitting the first box into two portions.

In order to split the first box into two portions, the box is manuallytorn along the Line of Perforation, 26. Once torn in this manner, thesecond box may be folded shut in a manner similar to that described inExample 1.

Example 6

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment is verysimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. In addition, this particular embodimentmay be split into two pieces and the open end of the large piece may befolded into a sturdy closed secondary container in a manner similar tothat described in Example 1.

In this particular embodiment a Line of Perforation, 26, is used alongonly one side of the Cord, 50. By utilizing the Line of Perforation, 26,alongside the Cord, 50, on the side corresponding to the larger portionof the split box, the Line of Perforation, 26, facilitates a cleanertorn edge on this side which facilitates a more finished appearance ofthe second box.

Example 7

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. This particular embodiment is verysimilar to that illustrated by Example 1 and can be folded into a boxstructure in the same manner. In addition, this particular embodimentmay be split into two pieces and the open end of the large piece may befolded into a sturdy closed secondary container in a manner similar tothat described in Example 1, including folding options two and three.

This particular embodiment utilizes [a] Removable Section D which isreduced in size. Therefore, the first folding option described inExample 1 will not work, but this box is most preferably foldedaccording to the second option described in Example 1.

Example 8

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrates how a sheet of material may be cut and foldedaccording to the present invention. Lower Side Wall C, 80, along withLower Front Tabs A1, 84, A2, 86, and A3, 88, are together folded up andin towards the Bottom B, 82. Similarly, Lower Side Wall D, 106, alongwith Lower Front Tabs B1, 100, B2, 98, and 83, 96 are together Folded upand in towards the Bottom B, 82. The Lower Front Wall B, 90, is attachedto Lower Front Tabs A3, 88 and 83, 96. Through this connection, thefolding of Upper Side Wall C, 72, and Upper Side Wall D, 112, pulls theLower Front Wall B, 90, up into position. When folded properly, LowerFront Tabs A2, 86 and B2, 98 are folded over 180 degrees towards theBottom B, 82. Upper Side Wall C. 72, Upper Side Wall D, 112, and theUpper Front Wall B, 68, are folded up and in towards the Top B, 70, intoan angle of essentially ninety degrees. Upper Rear Tab A, 76, and UpperRear Tab 8, 108, are further folded in relation to Upper Side Wall C,72, and Upper Side Wall D. 112, respectively into an angle ofessentially ninety degrees. In order to complete the assembly of thefirst box, the Top B, 70, is folded towards the Bottom B, 82, using theBack Wall B, 74, as a hinge. In this particular embodiment of thepresent invention, Upper Side Wall C, 72, and Upper Side Wall D, 112,fold outside of Lower Side Wall C, 80, and Lower Side Wall D, 106,respectively. The Upper Front Wall 8, 68. Folds inside of the LowerFront Wall B, 90, as the first box is closed.

In order to easily dispose of the box or prepare the box for storingleftovers, the consumer grasps the Pull-Tab B, 94, and pulls the Cord,50, following the Cord, 50, around the box as it is torn through,thereby ripping or cutting the box along the Cord, 50, line. The box isthen easily separated into two pieces.

Once the box is separated into two pieces, both pieces may be disposedof directly, or alternatively, the open end of the large piece may befolded dosed, forming a second sturdy container structure (the secondbox). The open end is folded shut as follows. Removable Section A1, 92,Removable Section A2, 102, and Removable Section E, 78, are torn alongthe perforations and removed. The Front Closing Tab B, 116, and the RearClosing Tab, 110, are folded inwards towards the Top B, 70, afterseparating them from the Upper Front Wall B, 68, and Back Wall B. 74,along the perforations. The open edge of the Bottom B, 82, is folded inalong the Lower Latent Fold Line. 104, towards the Bottom B, 82, into anangle of essentially ninety degrees. The open edge of the Top B, 70, isthen folded in along Upper Latent Fold Line. 114, along with the FrontClosing Tab B, 116, and the Rear Closing Tab, 110, to an angle ofapproximately ninety degrees relative to the Top B, 70. The FrontClosing Tab B, 116, and the Rear Closing Tab, 110, are opened so thatthey are approximately parallel to the Lower Front Wall B, 90, and BackWall B, 74, respectively. This completes the closing of the second box.This folding method may be performed without the necessity of firstopening the second box. The consumer may devise other variations in thefolding operation.

The reduced size container may now be opened and closed as needed in amanner similar to the original full size container. When closed, thereduced size container is very sturdy and can be used to store leftoversconveniently.

The Lines of Perforation may be comprised of any perforation found inthe art. In one particular embodiment, the Lines of Perforation arecomprised of elongated perforations situated at an angle between zeroand ninety-degrees in relation to the Cord, 50. In yet anotherparticular embodiment, the Lines of Perforation are comprised ofperforations that include two elongated cuts situated at essentiallyninety-degrees to one another, one cut parallel to the Cord, 50, andjoined to one another in order to essentially generate a singleperforation. In the most preferable embodiment the elongated cutperpendicular to the Cord, 50, is shorter than the elongated cutparallel to the Cord, 50. The use of this type of perforation beside andparallel to the Cord, 50, results in an extraordinarily clean edge aftersplitting the box in two.

Each of the boxes depicted in the illustrations are simply examples ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention. Many other specificdesigns are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The location of the Cord, 50, May be moved in orderto change the size or volume of the pieces of the split box. Means forclosing the open end similar to that disclosed in the illustrations maybe added to both pieces of the split box instead of only one piece.Additionally, many minor changes may be made and details added to thebox structure by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Examples include but are notlimited to: cuts or perforations along fold lines, small tabs designedto lock folded pieces in position, changes to the angle of certain edgesto facilitate folding or dosing, and changes to the relative scale ofthe parts of the structure. Each of these changes and details arecommonly added to box structures by those skilled in the art.

The present invention has several key advantages when compared to theprior art. First, the utility of the box as a delivery vehicle is notcompromised because the structural integrity of the box is notsignificantly weakened until the consumer chooses. Once the consumerchooses, the box is easily broken into two conveniently disposablepieces. Second, the open end of one or both portions of the split boxmay be folded shut forming a sturdy storage container (the second box).Third, the present invention achieves its utility while retaining asimple design that is easy to use and economical to manufacture. Onlythose limitations disclosed herein should be used to limit the spiritand scope of the present invention. Application Ser. Nos. 12/070,591 and60/902,486 are hereby incorporated by reference.

We claim:
 1. A method for using a fully re-closable, size selectablecontainer system structure, comprising a. a bottom portion, theperimeter of which is defined by hingedly attached, opposing lower sidewalls, a hingedly attached back wall, and a hingedly attached lowerfront wall b. a top portion hingedly attached to said back wall, theperimeter of which is defined by hingedly attached, opposing upper sidewalls, a hingedly attached upper front wall, and said hingedly attachedback wall c. divisional means for facilitating the division of thecontainer system structure into at least two pieces, arrangedlongitudinally through the container system structure d. a back wall tabportion on the back wall adjacent to the divisional means, delineated byperforations and said divisional means, essentially rectangular inshape, removably attached to the back wall, hingedly attached to thebottom portion and having a length essentially equal to the height ofthe back wall and a width essentially equal to or lesser than the heightof the back wall e. a removable portion on the lower front wall,adjacent to the divisional means, delineated by perforations and saiddivisional means, extending to the edge of the container systemstructure and having a length essentially equal to or greater than halfthe width of the lower front wall, and a width essentially equal to orless than half the width of the lower front wall f. a removable portionof the top and upper front wall, adjacent to the divisional meansdelineated by perforations and said divisional means, extending to theedge of the container system structure on the upper front wall andhaving a width essentially equal to or less than half the width of thelower front wall, and a length essentially equal to or greater than halfthe width of the lower front wall g. a removable portion on the top,adjacent to the divisional means and the back wall, delineated byperforations and said divisional means, adjacent to the back wall tabportion and having a length essentially equal to or greater than thelength of the back wall tab portion and a width essentially equal to orless than the height of the back wall h. a tab portion on the lowerfront wall, adjacent to the divisional means, delineated by perforationsand said divisional means, the bottom portion and the removable portionon the lower front wall having a width and length essentially equal toor less than half the width of the lower front wall.
 2. A method ofusing a container system structure according to claim 1, wherein thedivisional means for dividing the container system structure comprises acord.
 3. A method of using a container system structure according toclaim 1, wherein the divisional means for dividing the container systemstructure comprises perforations.
 4. A method of using a containersystem structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower side wallsinclude hingedly attached tabs adjacent to the lower front wall andadjacent to the back wall.
 5. A method of using a container systemstructure according to claim 1, wherein the lower front wall folds overitself, forming a double walled structure.
 8. A method of using acontainer system structure according to claim 2, wherein said divisionalmeans further comprises perforations arranged parallel and adjacent tothe cord to aid in tearing of the container system structure.
 7. Amethod of using a container system structure according to claim 1wherein the divisional means comprises a. a cord b. a pull-tabassociated with said cord.
 8. A method of using a container system,according to claim 1, wherein the divisional means comprises a singlerow of perforations.
 9. A method of using a container system structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the divisional means comprises multiplerows of perforations essentially parallel to one another.
 10. A methodof using a container system structure according to claim 7, wherein thedivisional means further comprising a row of perforations arrangedadjacent to and essentially parallel with one side the cord.
 11. Amethod of using a container system structure according to claim 7,wherein the divisional means further comprises two rows of perforationsarranged one on each side of and essentially parallel to the cord.
 12. Amethod of using a container system structure according to claim 1,wherein the inside surface of the container system structure is coatedwith a waterproofing substance.
 13. A method of using a fullyre-closable, size selectable container system structure, comprising a. abottom portion, the perimeter of which is defined by hingedly attached,opposing lower side walls, a hingedly attached back wall, and a hingedlyattached lower front wall b. a top portion hingedly attached to saidback wall, the perimeter of which is defined by hingedly attached,opposing upper side walls, a hingedly attached upper front wall, andsaid hingedly attached back wall c. divisional means for facilitatingthe division of the container system structure into at least two pieces,arranged longitudinally through the container system structure d. a backwall tab portion on the back wall adjacent to the divisional means,delineated by perforations and said divisional means, essentiallyrectangular in shape, removably attached to the back wall, hingedlyattached to the top portion and having a length essentially equal to theheight of the back wall and a width essentially equal to or lesser thanthe height of the back wall e. a removable portion on the lower frontwall and bottom, adjacent to the divisional means, delineated byperforations and said divisional means, extending to the edge of thecontainer system structure and having a length essentially equal totwice the width of the lower front wall, and a width essentially equalto or less than the width of the lower front wall f. a tab portion onthe upper front wall, delineated by perforations and said divisionalmeans, extending to the edge of the container system structure on theupper front wall, hingedly attached to the top, removably attached tothe upper front wall and having a width essentially equal to or lessthan the width of the lower front wall, and a length essentially equalto or greater than the width of the lower front wall g. a removableportion on the bottom, adjacent to the divisional means and the backwall, delineated by perforations and said divisional means, adjacent tothe back wall tab portion and having a length essentially equal to orgreater than the length of said back wall tab portion and a widthessentially equal to or less than the height of the back wall, whereinthe lower front wall and lower side walls are hingedly attached to oneanother through a triangular portion hingedly attached to the bottomportion.